What would you think if you just got a 2% salary raise?

[grimmie 186]

My fire department took a 4% pay cut, our PD took a 5% and the other city workers 4%.

Of course I have only been there for 26 years...

[quade 4]

The way the economy is right now, you should be happy you still have a job.

Quit your whining.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[ltdiver 3]

No raise the past 2 years. A nice little (and I mean little) thank-you gift, but no raise. Don't see any in the future either. Glad to still be working, though.

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[Cornholio 0]

That is exactly how I feel. You hit the nail on the head.

And Quade - yes Boss...no more whining here. I am very glad I have a job.

For the other questions: Yes, I have been with the company full time for 5 years. Actually a month ago was 5 years. I don't exactly love what I do, but I love the pay and flexibility and exposure to new technologies. If it was easy to switch jobs, I probably would, but as most of you know it is difficult out there. I have gotten raises before with this company, one 10% raise that I can remember, a few 5-7%, and they do give a nice 10-15% yearly bonus.

My boss did say that "not everyone" got a raise, so that makes me feel a bit more valued and maybe that's the best they can give. Maybe others got 1%.... I don't know the answer that question.

Ok, done whining. I feel better. Thanks all!

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that is huge. In this economy, keeping your job is the new "raise". You just got a BIG bonus

My personal view is that while giving no raise at all would be understandable in today's economy, giving a 2% raise is in fact insulting. I know that sounds contradictory but the message that comes across from the two actions is very different.

Giving no raise at all sends the message that, hey, the company still struggling and simply cannot even think about raises this year.

Giving a 2% raise sends the message that the company is doing well enough to give raises, thought long and hard about what this particular employee is worth, and decided he/she was worth only a 2% raise. Definitely a big slap in the face. Be glad you still have a job but be even gladder when you find another one and can kiss these folks goodbye.

Butthead: Whoa! Burritos for breakfast!
Beavis: Yeah! Yeah! Cool!
bellyflier on the dz.com hybrid record jump

[shropshire 0]

Got a job? - Then Suck it up cup cake

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[kawisixer01 0]

I got 3.6 last year so I really wasn't expecting much this year. I ended up with exactly 2 percent as well. Still that equates to 55 cents/hour or so. Really more than I was expecting considering the economy and the amount of people in the same field that lost their jobs to plant closures and such. Our wage authority is based on wage survey of the area, so when a couple very large manufacturers closed doors last year I thought we would really get screwed this year. Remember, some years it really works out in YOUR favor and some years it works in theirs. I guess after observing the economy and personally knowing ALOT of people that lost their jobs and are out of or are very close to the end of their unemplyment benefits, I am very happy to still be working and having more overtime that I want. I've been in the unemployment line and I'd rather not go back...ever.

[DrewEckhardt 0]

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I guess it would depend on why I was getting it in the first place. If it was a change of roles and responsibilities, then yeah that's not a huge increase. But if it's just because you've been doing your job, then there's nothing to complain about. Base pay increases are more valuable than they might seem at face value. It might be, say, $1000/year which might not sound like a whole lot, but that's $1000/year every year.

With inflation generally running 3-5% a year any smaller raise is usually a pay cut because the cost of food, housing, transportation, and health care increased faster.

This year is an anomaly due to deflation which makes 2% less bad.

[jumpwally 0]

You little whinny, sniveling pussy,,,,,in these times any % should be thanked,,,if the company was able to give 2% to all employee's and still keep the doors open, then thats great,,maybe next year it will go higher,,,,, nothing wrong with that.....

Lets say someone is ecstatic about passing his last student level, and is not a some corporate exec, and only has 5 bucs to spare, and decides to give that to you as a tip,,,,,you think thats an insult ? wow

smile, be nice, enjoy life
FB # - 1083

[shropshire 0]

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You little whinny, sniveling pussy,,,,,in these times any % should be thanked,,,if the company was able to give 2% to all employee's and still keep the doors open, then thats great,,maybe next year it will go higher,,,,, nothing wrong with that.....

+1

2% or any rise is not an insult - it's a cost of living rise (or better). These whining shites should FIFO ... (Fit in or Fuck Off)

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[idlewild70 0]

My division had a record year but rest of company didn't. Haven't had a raise in 4 years. Took a 10% paycut and insurance goes up every year.

-Fish


Blue skies, Soft landings

[CanuckInUSA 0]

In 2009 everyone at the company I work at had their salaries frozen. Then this year the company is going through numerous rounds of layoffs. Most people have already been let go. I have 3 weeks of employment remaining and the entire operation will be closing it's doors 5 weeks from now as the people at the top have decided to ship all of the jobs out of the country.

I will be fine in the short term. I am lucky I have low debt and I do not live paycheck-to-paycheck. But count yourself lucky if your salary has gone up 2%. You could work for the same people I work for (an organization that purchased a profitable company and proceeded to run it into the ground with poor executive decisions).

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[rehmwa 2]

what makes you think you did enough to deserve more?

everybody "works hard" so that's a no starter

some people got cuts last year and had more work added while friends were laid off


if you want to get automatic raises for doing nothing, work for the government and join the union - then you can get raises on the backs of people that really work and didn't get them

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[shropshire 0]

Don't worry, there's plenty of openings for 'Seasoned Slackers'

Good luck with the job search.... I'm in the same boat (and it's leaking like a sieve).

I'm becoming very pissed off with people who moan about their jobs/wages/rises etc... they need to take a reality check.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[ifall 0]

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I'm becoming very pissed off with people who moan about their jobs/wages/rises etc... they need to take a reality check.

+1

I did get a raise this year (cost of living) but went 2 years without one. Reason for that was because we have been buying companies that were having problems and probably going to shut down and kept them alive. If not getting a raise helps make my company more stable and helps other people keep their jobs who am I to complain? I never expect a raise I just work hard and am happy to have a job that I love.

[Southern_Man 0]

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if you want to get automatic raises for doing nothing, work for the government and join the union - then you can get raises on the backs of people that really work and didn't get them

Teachers where I live haven't had a raise in three years and are being laid off this year. They certainly don't "do nothing." Our entire state governement is having unpaid furloughs (i.e. pay cuts) this year.

I'm generally a small government guy but I find your remarks unfair.

"What if there were no hypothetical questions?"

[rehmwa 2]

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I'm generally a small government guy but I find your remarks unfair.

and escalatory, and cynical, and over-generalized

to name a few more accurate descriptions of my post



{locally, we are seeing threats to strike by the city and state gov unions if they don't get 5-10%, in essence, they are demanding tax increases on the rest of the populace to make this happen.....}

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[SARLDO 0]

For those of us in uniform:

"...proposed a 1.4% military pay raise in the FY2011 budget released in Feb. The 1.4 percent, "frankly, I think to a lot of Americans, sounds pretty good," the [sic], director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), said to reporters. He noted that the raise is lower than recent raises because inflation and private-sector wage and salary growth are also lower."

Personally, I believe the folks busting their ass down in the lower enlisted pay grades need more help than this right now.

"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens

MB#4300
Dudeist Skydiver #68

[rehmwa 2]

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Personally, I believe the folks busting their ass down in the lower enlisted pay grades need more help than this right now.

"they need more because they work hard" that's a pretty stock and meaningless comment

what could they make in another job with the same entry requirements? that's the basis

it's subjective, not a sound bite

what someone 'deserves' is about their utility. not about our emotional response

edit: I recognize this isn't a very popular statement, but I can make the same argument (they work hard and 'deserve' more) for teachers, lab workers, my employees, firement, police, roofers, etc etc etc etc etc ad nauseum. so that's not really a workable argument unless you take a very narrow focus

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[SARLDO 0]

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Personally, I believe the folks busting their ass down in the lower enlisted pay grades need more help than this right now.

"they need more because they work hard" that's a pretty stock and meaningless comment

what could they make in another job with the same entry requirements? that's the basis

it's subjective, not a sound bite

what someone 'deserves' is about their utility. not about our emotional response

edit: I recognize this isn't a very popular statement, but I can make the same argument (they work hard and 'deserve' more) for teachers, lab workers, my employees, firement, police, roofers, etc etc etc etc etc ad nauseum. so that's not really a workable argument unless you take a very narrow focus

Exactly!

"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens

MB#4300
Dudeist Skydiver #68

[dgskydive 0]

I see where you are coming from, but we will have to agree to disagree.

Our company did not give out any raises last year or this year, but some of us were lucky enough to get an end of year bonus. Company sat us down when we got them and said that we are still not doing as well as we need to be, but give us bonuses because we worked really hard to keep the company going and this was an effort to let us know that we are appreciated. They were small bonuses but hey, at least they gave us something. They also explained that we would get raises before they started rehiring. Take care of us and then hire new people.

Dom

[Rick 67]

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that is huge. In this economy, keeping your job is the new "raise". You just got a BIG bonus

My personal view is that while giving no raise at all would be understandable in today's economy, giving a 2% raise is in fact insulting. I know that sounds contradictory but the message that comes across from the two actions is very different.

Giving no raise at all sends the message that, hey, the company still struggling and simply cannot even think about raises this year.

Giving a 2% raise sends the message that the company is doing well enough to give raises, thought long and hard about what this particular employee is worth, and decided he/she was worth only a 2% raise. Definitely a big slap in the face. Be glad you still have a job but be even gladder when you find another one and can kiss these folks goodbye.

Giving no raise is a commentary on the economy as a whole; giving a tiny raise is a commentary on what this specific company thinks of this particular employee.

Think of it as being like tipping a skydiving instructor. If a student gives no tip at all this is understandable because lots of people feel that tipping is very optional in this sport. But if the student gives an insultingly small tip--let's say 50 cents or something--it sends a message of displeasure with the service that wouldn't be sent if no tip at all was given.

or maybe the company realizes that people need raises and dug as deep as they could to get the 2%. In giving raises you do realize it costs the company more than the 2% that the employee will see in their paycheck added tax, ss, workers comp etc. My partners and I took a MASSIVE pay cut and froze salaries to keep our company going a couple of years ago. As soon as we started to turn the corner the first thing we did is give some small bumps in salary to the guys that busted their butts to get through the tough times. I felt good to be able to give them any small raise we could afford and I believe it was appreciated.

You can't be drunk all day if you don't start early!

[skyjumpenfool 2]

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if you want to get automatic raises for doing nothing, work for the government and join the union - then you can get raises on the backs of people that really work and didn't get them

We got 2% over 2 years on our previous contract and then saw our out of pocket health insurance costs triple. That may be understandable given the state of the economy and such...

However Bill, indirectly I work for the government, and I belong to a union. While I’d like to think that I work hard for my money, I can only partially take offense to your comments. So, I will! My union fought hard to get me this meaningless raise. But it’s a damn sight better than the stick in the eye we’d have gotten without a strong union.

That being said, I see people (very few thankfully) standing around leaning on shovels bitching about how little they make. Maybe "Union Persecution" should be replaced with "Dead Weight Executions"? Just a thought……

Birdshit & Fools Productions

"Son, only two things fall from the sky."

[rehmwa 2]

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[Bolas 5]

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Personally, I believe the folks busting their ass down in the lower enlisted pay grades need more help than this right now.

Most are. In the form of combat pay.

Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting
If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

[skyrider 0]

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Yah, just got pulled into my boss's office and told I get a 2% raise. Yippee! or.. WTF?

Personally, I'm insulted. But I'll take it.

No, the government will take it...(I;d go into detail, but don;t want this pulled)